Original software developers of Dazzler Multimedia Authoring and Presentations Software set up once more as autonomous company -

As of 1st February 1998, development, sales and marketing of the popular Dazzler multimedia authoring software will pass back into the hands of the original developers - ISC Media Systems - which will re-establish as an independent operating company.

ISC Media Systems was originally acquired by Linotype-Hell in August 1996, and when the acquisition and integration of Linotype-Hell by Heidelberg was finalised in the spring of 1997, Dazzler became part of the product portfolio of a subsidiary company - Linotype CPS GmbH - which was primarily set up to sell the range of desktop scanners, fonts and colour management software.

"Dazzler is a powerful and cost effective product and we believe in it as strongly as we did two years ago," said Martin Boothman, Managing Director, Linotype CPS GmbH.  "However our company has gone through a major acquisition and resultant restructuring and the new look Linotype CPS has very different business objectives.  Dazzler was not reaching the vertical markets that we had planned for, as our strategy was no longer directed at these markets. ISC, as a focused company, are clearly in a better position to achieve the success that Dazzler deserves and we wish them good luck in their venture.

"Our time with Linotype-Hell has been extremely useful both for Dazzler as a product and us as a company", said Huw Edwards, ISC.  "We simply could not have supported the levels of investment that have taken Dazzler through an important development and marketing stage.  We are looking forward to the business challenges ahead - and with new versions of Dazzler coming very soon, the challenge is certainly set."

Dazzler and Dazzler Deluxe and upgrades will continue to be distributed to the mainstream business and creative markets through Imago Micro, Tel :01635 294300 and Principal Distribution Limited, Tel: 01756 704000.

We hope that there will be very little disruption for new and existing customers. The main difference you'll see is a new company name. The Linotype and Heidelberg names will disappear from the packaging and literature. The ISC Media Systems name will also no longer be used. In its place a new company has been formed to focus on the development, sales and support of the Dazzler product range. This new company is called IntelaMedia and will consist of some of the people from ISC, based at the same address with the same telephone numbers.

You can continue to use the current support routes. You will be talking to the people who created the software you are using.

In the UK contact Principal Distribution Tel: 01756 704000 or Imago Micro, Tel: 01635 294300 for your nearest Dazzler dealer. Alternatively call us at IntelaMedia +44 (0)1372 363717 or e-mail sales@dazzlersoft.com

As part of IntelaMedia’s commitment to existing Dazzler users, we will continue to make available the free upgrade from Dazzler 4.0 to Dazzler 4.1. In addition, updates for both Dazzler and Dazzler Deluxe 4.1 will be available from the Dazzler web site : www.dazzlersoft.com

Where is Dazzler going?

IntelaMedia is 100% committed to Dazzler and our customers. We will continue to focus on the ease of use and powerful features which have won Dazzler praise and awards from the press and users alike.

There are several products ready for release over the coming months and others in development.

• 3D menu : a stunning add-on component for Dazzler Deluxe. Add photographs or 3-D models to a rotating sphere and let your users select an item by clicking the mouse.
• High quality video and sound support in the Dazzler Java Player. Play MPEG, AVI, WAV and many more formats cross-platform and over the Internet with the latest version of the Dazzler Java Player.
• Windows 3.1 run-time : deliver your Dazzler presentations to the widest user base with legacy systems.
• Support for Dynamic HTML : deliver your Dazzler presentations on the Web using the latest HTML techniques, but without having to do a single line of scripting.

Thanks to all our users for your support this far. We hope you're going to like the new organisation with its dedicated Dazzler focus. We're impressed by the excellent products you're developing with Dazzler and we're looking forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Please keep telling us where you want Dazzler to go next.

For further press information, please contact:

Huw Edwards

IntelaMedia Ltd.

Tel: +44 (0)1372 363717

Nicola Hynes

Firefly Communications

Tel: +44 (0)171 381 4505